In 1975, Amtrak introduced a train over the line, named the Mountaineer. It ran all the way to Chicago, being combined with or separated from the James Whitcomb Riley at Cincinnati.

In 1977, the portion of the route between Norfolk and Petersburg was dropped and the train became the Hilltopper, now only going as far as Catlettsburg to connect with the James Whitcomb Riley's successor, the Cardinal. The service was discontinued entirely in 1979 due to budget cuts.